Quantum Electronics and Laser Science Conference
Influence on parametric four-wave mixing of a two-photon interference effect
W. R. Garrett, Richard Wunderlich, Roger C. Hart, Mary Anne Moore, M. G. Payne
Abstract
If an extended Na vapor column (heat pipe configuration) is subjected to strong laser pumping near two-photon resonance with 3D3/2,5/2 or 4D3/2,5/2 states at pressures above tens of millitorr, strong stimulated emissions are produced by amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) or stimulated electron in hyper-Raman scattering (SEHRS) and by phase matched parametric four-wave mixing (PFWM). These new electromagnetic fields that are generated within the near-resonant nonlinear medium can strongly influence the total atomic response and produce several saturation and total cancellation types of effect.